Why Patch Management is Crucial
Patch management is often a process many small and medium sized businesses consider placing on the proverbial backburner. If your systems are running, why update them, right? But there are many patches that do so much more than fix bugs, things like provide beefed up cybersecurity or maintain your regulatory compliance, and it is an aspect of your IT (Information Technology) strategy you cannot ignore.
Software patches are designed to fix a vulnerability or flaw identified after an application or software is released. Unpatched software can make a device a vulnerable target for exploitation by cybercrooks. Therefore, software patches are a key factor for IT operations and cybersecurity.
Specifically for cybersecurity, patch management is vital. When a new patch is released, cybercrooks use software that views the underlying vulnerability in the application being patched. This is something hackers perform quickly, allowing them to release malware to exploit the vulnerability within hours of a patch release.
Security patches, therefore, prevent malicious actors from exploiting vulnerabilities that could bring your operations to a grinding halt.
Countless compliance regulations require implementation of patch management strategies. For example, PCI DSS, CIS Critical Security Controls for Effective Cyber Defense, ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST are just a few with such requirements.
Patch management is not an effortless process, however. Your organization needs to establish a companywide policy and ensure your systems are centralized and automated to maintain up-to-date patches as they are published. These are not easy, and your workforce could be tied up in establishing these protocols for a long time instead of focusing on your core capabilities.
Instead, rely on a managed services provider like 2W Tech. One of the managed services we provide is patch management, where we will automate these tasks including maintaining current knowledge of available patches, deciding what patches are appropriate for which systems, ensuring that patches are installed properly, testing systems after installation, and documenting all associated procedures.
2W Tech is a technology service provider that specializes in solutions for the manufacturing industry. We are also a Microsoft Gold Partner. Contact us today for more information.